Bubbling bath mat

ABSTRACT

There is provided a soft bubbling bath mat having a mat body of molded flexible material that houses a soft flexible foam pad adapted to fit between an outer edge of the mat body an interior air passageway. The air passageway is adapted at one end to form an inlet port. The inlet port is adapted to receive air to be fed from a compressed air source to the passageway and forced through the passageway and out through a plurality of small apertures in a top surface of the passageway creating a therapeutic bubbling massage effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a bubbling bath mat. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a soft bubbling bath matthat provides a bubbling massage having a therapeutic aeration effect.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Soft bubbling bath mats are relatively well known. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,591 to Sandrin describes a soft bath mat capable ofproviding a bubbling massage. The mat is arranged in a two-channelconfiguration. A first channel inflates and supports a user and a secondchannel allows air received from a compressed air source to escape froma plurality of small apertures in its upper surface. The upper surfaceof the second channel sits vertically lower than the upper surface ofthe first channel. This arrangement enables a user to be supported bythe first channel without blocking the air escaping from the secondchannel. The drawback of this type of bath mat is the time and effortrequired to use the device (i.e. inflate prior to use and deflate afteruse).

[0005] Efforts have been made to improve the efficiency in using a bathmat similar to that described above. For example, it is known to providea soft bubbling bath mat that, rather than using the two-channelconfiguration described above, uses a plurality of flexible rectangularpads arranged so as to support a user and not inhibit the air escapingfrom the upper surface of the mat. The drawback of this arrangement isthat the flexible pads can and do create localized pressure points thatoften result in an unpleasant effect on a user.

[0006] None of the above provide a soft bubbling bath mat that not onlyimproves the therapeutic aeration effect, but also improves comfortwithout creating localized pressure point. In addition, the presentinvention provides for a compact, and efficiently manageable bath matthat is easily transported and/or stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a softbubbling bath mat that uses a flexible soft support padding to improvecomfort and better distribute a user's weight over the surface of themat.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide such asoft bubbling bath mat having a molded air channel configured to improveair distribution and ultimately the overall therapeutic aeration effect.

[0009] It is still an other object of the present invention to providesuch a soft bubbling bath mat having at least one support tube locatedin an air channel that functions to improve airflow and maintain uniformair pressure throughout the air channel.

[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide sucha soft bubbling bath mat capable of being folded into a compact size foreasy handling and storage.

[0011] It is yet still another object of the present invention toprovide such a soft bubbling bath mat that, in conjunction with acompressed air source to provide warm air, maintains thermal watertemperature.

[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare achieved by a soft bubbling bath mat that includes a mat body.Preferably, the mat body has two elongated sheets of molded flexiblematerial secured together by weld lines. These weld lines include aperimetrical weld line along the outer perimeter of the sheets, whichforms a cavity for housing a foam pad sandwiched between the two sheetsand adapted to fit between the outer perimetrical weld line and aninterior weld line that forms an interior cavity or air passageway. Theair passageway has a plurality of small apertures formed in an uppersurface thereof and has a spine and rib configuration. The aperturespreferably face upwardly when the mat is placed properly in a tub orbasin. The passageway is closed at one end and connected at the otherend to a hose that allows air to be fed from a compressed air source tothe passageway through an inlet port. The compressed air source may beany suitable device capable of generating compressed air. The inlet portreceives one end of the hose. Air is then forced through the passagewayand out through the plurality of small apertures in the top surface ofthe passageway creating a bubbling massage effect. A foam pad ispositioned in the mat body to provide a comfortable support surface forthe user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soft bubbling bath mat, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view, rotated 180 degrees, of the soft bubblingbath mat of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view, rotated 180 degrees, of the soft bubblingbath mat of FIG. 1; and

[0016]FIG. 4 is a bottom view, rotated 180 degrees, of the soft bubblingbath mat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to the drawings and in particular, FIG. 1, there isshown a soft bubbling bath mat in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 1.The bubbling bath mat 1 has a body or an outer cover 5. Preferably,outer cover 5 is molded and formed of an upper sheet 10 and a lowersheet 15, welded along a perimetrical line 20 to form a hollow,relatively elongated cavity 25. Cavity 25 houses a soft flexible foampad 30 sandwiched between upper sheet 10 and lower sheet 15, and isadapted to fit between perimetrical weld line 20 and an interior weldline 35. Weld line 35 forms an interior cavity or an air passageway 40between upper sheet 10 and lower sheet 15.

[0018] Upper sheet 10 and lower sheet 15 preferably are twocorresponding sheets of flexible, preferably soft material. Foam pad 30is preferably a one-piece structure.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, interior weld line 35 preferably runs alongthe entire outer perimeter of air passageway 40 creating a hermeticallysealed line between air passageway 40 and cavity 25. Air passageway 40has a main channel 105 running longitudinally along the centerline ofbubbling bath mat 1. Air passageway 40 includes main channel 105 and aplurality of appendage channels 115 that are operatively connected tothe main channel. Main channel 105 and appendage channels 115 each havean upper surface 75. Each upper surface 75 preferably has, one or more,and preferably several small apertures 70. Also, apertures 70 can alsobe placed on the sides of main channel 105 and/or any one of theappendage channels 115.

[0020] Main channel 105 is closed at one end 45, and is adapted to forman air inlet port 65 at the other opposite end 50. Air inlet port 65 canbe connected to a hose (not shown), which allows air, preferably heated,to be fed from a compressed air source (not shown) into main channel105. The air inlet port 65 preferably is adapted to be raised andlowered to facilitate connection to the compressed air hose and closureof the inlet port when mat 1 is sufficiently full of air. The compressedair in main channel 105 passes through the main channel and out by wayof apertures 70 of air passageway 40 to create a therapeutic bubblingmassage effects.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, main channel 105 has at least one, butpreferably two hollow flexible tubes 110 therein running the entirelength of the main channel. Tubes 110 ensure consistent airflow and airpressure is maintained when the full weight of a user is supported bybubbling bath mat 1. Referring to FIG. 2, appendage channels 115bifurcate from main channel 105 at a slight angle from the perpendicularto the main channel in the downstream direction, i.e. towards end 45.The slight angle of each appendage channel 115 to the perpendicular ofthe axial extent of main channel 105 is about 10 degrees to about 80degrees, preferably 45 degrees. Thus, the slight angle is an acuteangle. Each channel 115 terminates in an annular bulb 120. Upper surface75 of each annular bulb 120 is preferably adapted such that apertures 70form a circular pattern as shown in FIG. 2. This channel arrangement andaperture pattern further facilitates airflow in air passageway 40. Thisairflow reduces the likelihood of pressure loss at the extremities ofair passageway 40 and improves the overall aeration effect.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, bubbling bath mat 1 preferably has aplurality of suction cups 80 mounted to an exterior surface 85 of lowersheet 15. Each cup 80 has an upper disc 90 formed of a suitable flexiblematerial that preferably is attached to surface 85 by any known suitablemeans. Each cup 80 preferably also has a cylindrical portion 95 thatconnects disc 90 to a lower concave cup portion 98. Cup portion 98 isadapted to contact the surface of a tub or basin so as to hold securelybubbling bath mat 1 in position.

[0023] In addition to the foregoing, bubbling bath mat 1, preferably isshaped to conform to the contours of a conventional tub or basin.Further, bubbling bath mat 1 is adapted to be easily removed and rolledup on itself into a compact size for efficient handling and storage.Also, bubbling bath mat 1, in conjunction with a compressed air source(not shown) that is adapted to produce heated air, can preferablyproduce warm bubbles that help to maintain water temperature.

[0024] The present invention having been thus described with particularreference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention as defined herein.

We claim:
 1. A bubbling bath mat comprising: a body for forming a hollowelongated first cavity, said body having an outer edge about itsperiphery, said body having an interior second cavity within said firstcavity. a pad being adapted to fit between the outer edge of said coverand second cavity of said body, said second cavity having a main channelrunning longitudinally along a centerline of the mat and having aplurality of appendage channels operatively connected to and branchingfrom said main channel, said main channel and said plurality ofappendage channels having a plurality of apertures terminating in anannular bulb; said main channel being closed at a first end and adaptedat a second opposite end to receive and engage a mechanism for feedingcompressed air into said main channel and through the plurality of smallapertures; and
 2. The mat of claim 1, wherein said main channel has asupport structure.
 3. The mat of claim 2, wherein said support structureis a pair of hollow tubes.
 4. The mat of claim 3, wherein each of saidpair of hollow tubes is flexible.
 5. The mat of claim 2, wherein saidsupport structure is a hollow tube.
 6. The mat of claim 5, wherein saidhollow tube is flexible.
 7. The mat of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of suction cups mounted to a lower surface of said body forattaching the mat to a surface.
 8. The mat of claim 1, wherein said padis made of soft flexible material.
 9. The mat of claim 8, wherein thematerial is foam.
 10. The mat of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofappendage channels deviate from said main channel at a slight angel. 11.The mat of claim 1, wherein said plurality of appendage channelsterminate, at one end, in an annular bulb.
 12. The mat of claim 11, saidannular bulbs include a first portion of said plurality of apertures.13. The mat of claim 12, wherein the first portion of said plurality ofapertures in each of said annular bulbs are arranged in a circularpattern.
 14. The mat of claim 1, wherein said mat is adapted such to berolled into a compact size.
 15. The mat of claim 1, wherein compressedair produces warm air.
 16. The mat of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofappendage channels form an acute angle with the centerline of the mat.17. The mat of claim 1, wherein said first end of said main channelforms an annular bulb.
 18. The mat of claim 17, wherein said annularbulb of said main channel has a second portion of said plurality ofapertures.
 19. The mat of claim 1, wherein the compressed air creates atherapeutic effect.
 20. A bubbling bath mat comprising: a body forforming a hollow elongated first cavity, said body having an outer edgeabout its periphery, said body having an interior second cavity withinsaid first cavity. a pad made of soft flexible material and adapted tofit between the outer edge of said cover and second cavity of said body,said second cavity having a main channel running longitudinally along acenterline of the mat and having a plurality of appendage channelsoperatively connected to and branching from said main channel, said mainchannel and said plurality of appendage channels having a plurality ofapertures terminating in an annular bulb; and said main channel beingclosed at a first end and adapted at a second opposite end to receiveand engage a mechanism for feeding compressed air into said main channeland through the plurality of small apertures, said main channel has ahollow flexible tube.